Emergency Services May Merge With York, Poquoson

December 06, 2008|By TYRA M. VAUGHN, tvaughn@dailypress.com 247-7870

WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg's emergency dispatch center might be moving to York County if the city's police chief has his way.

Chief Mike Yost will present a proposal to City Council during its work session Monday that, if approved, would allow Williamsburg to consolidate its 911 communications center with York County and Poquoson.

"This will enhance our service to citizens and save the city money," Yost said on Friday.

Under the proposed plan, Williamsburg would enter into a contract with York County and Poquoson to form a regional 911 communications center, Yost said.

York County and Poquoson have been jointly operating their emergency dispatch for about a year, and the three jurisdictions already share the same emergency radio system. Yost said this would take their partnership to the next level. The regional communications center would have six 911 dispatchers working on behalf of each jurisdiction. Two of the six dispatchers would handle the radio for local law enforcement and the fire department, and the remainder would answer emergency calls.

Currently, dispatchers at Williamsburg's 911 communication center have to answer emergency calls and handle the radio, Yost said. He said a regional communications center would free up the dispatchers to focus on either task. Under the proposal, Williamsburg's 13 dispatchers would move to the regional communications center on Goodwin Neck Road in York County. Yost said the center would eventually save the city money because there would only be a need for nine dispatchers. He said all the city's dispatchers would move to York County, but the additional positions would be eliminated through attrition. Yost said no decision will be made Monday. The presentation will only provide information to City Council.